As more people become aware of the need for early detection of colon cancer, nationwide, the waiting times for colon examinations has grown.  At Upland Hills Health, patients are finding it easy to get one scheduled and performed by physicians with specialized colonoscopy training.

A routine colon exam can prevent cancer of the colon, the #2 most life-threatening cancer in the U.S.   This year alone in Wisconsin, an estimated 2,900 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.   In Iowa County, the colon cancer rate among men is as high as the rest of the nation, but among women is second only to breast cancer - higher than the rest of the nation.

"I can't say enough about early screening tests," says June Meudt, Director of the Iowa County Health Department. "Early screening leads to early treatment - and a more likely cure. [Furthermore] they're so accessible here in Iowa County; you don't have to go to Madison."

Colorectal cancer screening is important, because precancerous growths can be can be found and removed before cancer ever develops, according to Dr. Mark Hughes of Dean Family Practice Associates, one of four physicians who perform the examination at Upland Hills. 

If the cancer is not detected soon enough, the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and by the time symptoms appear, it is usually quite advanced and more difficult to treat. Colonoscopy is one diagnostic method that is relatively simple, but especially reliable for colorectal cancer prevention and detection.

Colonoscopy uses a thin flexible fiber optic instrument to let the physician directly visualize the colon.  The colonoscope also has a tool at the end which can remove cancerous growths or growths called polyps, which often precede cancer. 

"Other colon screening tests have their place, but ... colonoscopy is the gold standard," Hughes says.  He  has performed colonoscopies on several people who have had cancer, and he was able to immediately remove it. "The frightening part is that we have found blatant cancer in people who have no symptoms whatsoever," Dr. Hughes says.

Dr. Adam Dachman, Dr. John Hamilton and Dr. Michael Allan, all on the active or consulting staff at Upland Hills, are also skilled at performing colonoscopies in Dodgeville.

Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for people over age 50 and those with increased risk due to family history, inflammatory bowel disease and people with other risk factors like poor eating habits, obesity, smoking and inadequate exercise.

To schedule a colonoscopy, contact your doctor.   Click here for a listing and profiles of area doctors.  Appointments are usually readily available.